A new framework to understand engineering capacity and capability
Since commissioning the first Global Engineering Capability Review published in 2019, occupational accident data has shown a worrying increase in the safety gap between low- and middle-income economies and high-income economies.
This iteration of the GECR looks beyond skills, taking a system-based approach to better understand how engineering skills, institutions, policies and investments translate into safer, higher-quality infrastructure.
The report highlights where engineering capacity is strong, and where interventions could be most effective to address higher risks from unsafe practices.
The GECR 2025 is published as part of the Engineering X collaboration between the Academy and Lloyd's Register Foundation, an initiative which aims to promote safer engineering practices globally through skills development, education, advocacy and community building.
© Rolls-Royce PLC
Report overview
The Global Engineering Capability Review (GECR) 2025:
- Compares two key indices: the Engineering Capacity Index (2025) and the Safety and Quality Index (SQI) to identify where unsafe engineering poses the greatest risks now and in the future.
- Presents a new framework for understanding these two indexes together, in the Engineering Capability Matrix.
- Takes a systems approach that highlights the need for a broader view of engineering capacity and emphasises the need for stakeholders across the ecosystem to collaborate and partner to build capacity and reduce harm.
- Explores how countries can develop engineers equipped to reduce harm. Through a capacity gap analysis across 39 countries, the review highlights critical challenges and opportunities for target interventions by different stakeholders.
- Highlights the strong link between engineering capacity and safety. By comparing engineering capacity with the safety and quality of engineering outputs and outcomes, it is possible to assess a geography's engineering capability or its ability to conduct engineering activities in a safe and effective manner that minimises harm to people and the environment.
Unlocking the GECR 2025
Section 1 - Engineering Capacity Index (ECI) 2025
The ECI 2025 measures engineering capacity across 115 countries. It highlights the interconnectivity between 10 critical capacity areas across 3 key stakeholder groups that are responsible for building and sustaining the capacity areas.
Section 2 - Regional overview and capacity gap analysis
This section demonstrates how to use the ECI 2025 to analyse engineering capacity gaps. It provides six regional and national overviews, each with real-world examples of how the ECI 2025 can be used to diagnose constraints on engineering capacity.
33 capacity gap analyses
In addition to the examples in the main report, these additional capacity gaps are available to further demonstrate how the ECI 2025 can be used to analyse capacity gaps and inform discussions on potential interventions.
Interactive map for data visualisation
Use our data visualisation tool to understand the Engineering Capacity Index (ECI). This data set measures a geography's capacity to conduct engineering activities safely and effectively.
Key insights
Next steps: Sector focused and in-country discussions
The GECR does not advocate specific solutions to improve engineering capacity as these need to be context-specific and developed by local stakeholders. The report, however, can be a starting point for further enquiry and provides comparable data to encourage stakeholders to reflect and act on how to collectively improve engineering capacity.
To do this, we want to help facilitate sector-specific in-country round tables or webinars, bringing together local stakeholders across the system to continue to reflect, analyse and action.
If you have innovative ideas to help champion the GECR 2025, please get in touch with [email protected] if you would like us to help facilitate a roundtable in your country.
© This is Engineering
Acknowledgements
The Academy would like to thank all those who have contributed to the development of the GECR 2025. A detailed list of acknowledgements can be found in the report.